I use this list of abbreviations all the time when writing or editing documents. I don't know when or where I learned them (middle school maybe?), but they were defintiely standard items by the time I was in high school. I find that I frequently have to explain what they mean to other people or people will ask me to explain i.e. vs. e.g. or I will get comments like "oh wow that's really old school" or "you must be older than I thought you were if you're using those" (I'm 38). The NB and stet are what confuse people the most.
So...did I have really old fashioned teachers? Are these really outdated and not taught? Just wondering because it came up again this morning and got me thinking...
Thank Nervy Girl of course I should have added that :-)
NB = "nota bene" in Latin, which translates into "note well" and means "hey this is really important."
stet = "let it stand" in Latin and basically negates a prior edit. I use this when doing shared document work like documentation of a technical project where an edit is suggested or something is questioned and then after research or further thought, we decide that it was right the first time. Much clearer than crossing out and re-crossing out something (or tracking multiple changes and retractions electronically).
i.e. = "id est" in Latin, which translates into "that is" and means "in other words."
e.g. = "exampli gratia" in Latin or "for example"
Yes, I use them a lot in editing, writing and note taking. "Important," "leave as is," "in other words," and "for example," essentially. They are important to know, imo.
No, you didn't have old fashioned teachers, you had educated teachers. No, they aren't outdated.
J.B., keep on using all the good old abbreviations with pride! I am an editor and reporter and use them. Just knowing that someone else out there still uses good old "stet" makes my day!
I am 37 and I have never heard of NB or stet.
(drags knuckles on the ground)
I had a great writing teacher once, the most important thing he taught me was this:
Good writing is NOT about using the most exotic words or the most complicated sentences, even if you are using them correctly. Good writing is about knowing your audience and writing so that they will understand what you are trying to communicate.
So if you work in a field where the use of these abbreviations is common - great, go ahead and make use of them. However if people are constantly asking you what they mean, you are not addressing your audience appropriately.
And yes, in common use they are outdated. I work in higher ed. and can't remember the last time I have seen any of our instructors use these abbreviations.
Good luck.
I have a journalism degree and have been a professional writer for about 20 years. You're speaking my language. :)
Honestly, it takes me half a second longer to write the word out. I've never like abbreviations. In writing, or typing. It comes across as lazy. I'm not saying YOU are lazy, I'm just saying I don't use them myself.
With that said, I do know all your abbreviations. I'm 8 years younger then you and I was taught then. My teachers used them.
I use them daily, especially stet, but I work in academic publishing, so I'm not part of a representative sample.
Well, stet isn't really used by people who aren't editors/proofers so I can understand why people don't know what is going on with that one.
NB is primarily used in academics. We lowly average folk just use Note.
In my experience, most people do know i.e. and e.g. but don't often use them or use them interchangeably. Most people will just say/type for example or use a separate sentence for clarification rather than using abbreviations.
I'm a bit younger than you and as I recall i.e. and e.g. were taught in basic grammar lessons. I have no idea if they are still taught to children today but I would imagine so.
No, they are not outdated! You just paid attention in school. I'm sure some teachers don't teach them anymore but who knows where they got their education, lol!
M.
I have never heard of them.
Apparently I am uneducated.
I learned NB in grad school . . . everything else prior to that (probably high school).
N.B. = Latin for Note Bene - means for the reader to take special note.
I know e.g. and i.e. but didn't get far enough along for the other ones.
It would be awesome if you provided an explanation now that you've peaked the interest of others!:)
funny you post this. last week I was editing something and used "stet" and the person came back and asked about it.
Yes. I am familiar with them. BUT, I am the same age as you and work in an editing heavy field.
I was taught these in school, as well.
I've had several bosses my age ask me what they were abbreviations for and asked me not to use them.
This was the norm "back then".
I think they are antiquated and no longer taught in school.
Still..........I am with you on this matter and still use them. :)
Updated
I was taught these in school, as well.
I've had several bosses my age ask me what they were abbreviations for and asked me not to use them.
This was the norm "back then".
I think they are antiquated and no longer taught in school.
Still..........I am with you on this matter and still use them. :)
I use i.e. And e.g. as standard parts of writing. The others? Not much. But I would if I edited or taught again.
Edited to add: I agree with Andrea, it is about audience. When I was in higher ed, all of these abbreviations were commonly used. It all depends on context. As an instructor, I used e.g. and i.e all the time. They were standard at my university.
No, they aren't outdated. I don't know if they're still taught in school, but they're very practical in writing. In addition, they're not indicated in dictionaries as archaic or obsolete.
If somebody said to me, "Wow, you must be OLD if you use things like that," I'd let my eyes get big and respond, "Really?..." as I look the person in the face.
Of course, you don't want to express yourself in a snooty way - but any seeming snootiness would not be caused by the use of "i.e." or "NB."
Don't let people make you feel inferior just because you may write like an educated person.
Yeah I have no idea what you are talking about and I am 39. I DO know i.e. and e.g., but the others--no clue.
Actually I have never heard of stet. Thank you for teaching me something. All the others I know and use. I tend to also use 'et al' and 'nem con' in my work. I have to work with groups and committees a lot.
I am familiar with all of them except NB, now I will pull my old handbook to see if it is there. However, I am not familiar with their Latin definition.
Someone already mentioned, "know your audience" and that is what I take into consideration when I am writing. I communicate with many different ethnic backgrounds and when I write something, it is important they understand what I write. So when I see these in old letters, I edit them right out.
I can slam all sorts of jargon and leave my reader researching for days, but that is not my purpose.
On another hand, my boss loves to edit with a red pen and uses all of the edit notes :(
I hadn't ever seen NB before, but I do know the others (I'm 36)
I've heard of and use i.e and e.g, but never heard of NB or stet.
I am familiar with all, but I can see how someone, who perhaps grew up in the paperless era with computerized redlining might not know about these.
best,
F. B.
Yep. Use them all. Never heard anyone make any comment. My coworkers are all college grads, with most of them with advanced degrees. The age range is from new college grads to late fifties.
